"What kind of paddling do you plan on doing?", is often said to be one of the first questions to ask yourself. Your answer helps by limiting the number of designs and kits available that you have to consider more closely. For example, you probably won't need to look at long, narrow kayaks if you mostly plan on short, meandering excursions where you also plan to photograph the local wildlife. Whether you'll be carrying camping gear, racing, or fishing are other examples of uses for which designs differ accordingly.

You'll find good introductory projects for just about any use you intend. I'll go out on limb here and venture that the more visually simpler-looking kayaks available in kit form are also easier to build well the first time around. The opportunity for some woodwork is more limited, but there will still be some, and, of course, you can still get creative if that suits you. The hard chined CLC boats with the bent plywood decks are among the contenders here, for sure.

I suggest this approach because you're going to have your hands full, literally, with the epoxy and fiberglass skills you'll be developing. For most first timers (including myself) this is the most intimidating part of the whole thing. It won't hurt to do a bit of library research to start getting an idea of what you'll need to learn.

Also, if you happen to know someone who's already built a kayak, ask them a few questions. Chances are, you won't be able to shut them up once they get going on the subject.

Another 'limiting' question has to do with your own physical dimensions. You want a boat big enough for you to fit comfortably, but not too big. I've noticed that more website vendors have taken to listing the 'normal' range of size/weight of paddlers for each design they offer.

I hope this gets you started.

Pete,
in Snohomish, WA